TABLE OF CONTENTS New technologies impact the worlds of commerce and policy. This is especially true of disruptive technologies that significantly alter either the realities or perceptions within these worlds. Cognitive radio technology has the potential of affecting the marketplace for radio devices and services as well as changing the means by which wireless communications policy is developed and implemented. One of the key parameters that must be addressed to enter the radio market is access to radio spectrum. Once access is obtained, the capacity to manage interference becomes a key attribute in order to increase the number of users. Throughput is critical in order to maximize benefit (for the device) or maximize revenue (for the service). Radio frequency (RF) spectrum access and interference management are thus the primary roles of spectrum management.
Cognitive radio technology has the potential of being a disruptive force within spectrum management. Spectrum management, since the dawn of radio technology, has been within the domain of management agencies, both private and government. Therefore, it has required a person-in-the-loop. The ability of a device to be aware of its environment and to adapt to enhance its performance, and the performance of the network, allows a transition from a manual, oversight process to an automated, device-oriented process. This ability has the potential to allow a much more intensive use of the spectrum by lowering of spectrum access barrier to entry for new devices and services. It also has the potential to...
